The Oyo State Police Command has indicted 17 out of 59 students arrested in connection with the destruction of science laboratory equipment worth over N25 million at Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School, Oniyere, Ibadan.
The revelation was made during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Eleyele Police Headquarters, attended by the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni (rtd.), and the Commissioner for Education, Salihu Adelabu, among others.
According to Adenola, the students, who were from Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, stormed the CAC Grammar School premises and caused extensive damage.
“On Thursday, last week, pupils of Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, went on the rampage as they invaded the premises of the CAC Grammar School, Orita-Aperin.
“During the attacks, several vehicles were destroyed while the science laboratories blocks with equipment worth several millions of naira were vandalized.
“Also, some people received machete cuts during the attacks. This, we found quite unacceptable. This situation was brought under control with the support of the local security and the authorities of the affected schools.
“I personally interviewed these children on Saturday, and the revelation was stunning. I was surprised at the level of decadence in the public schools in the state.
“That is why the police authorities summoned the stakeholders meeting to put an end to the gang violence which has become a recurring incident in the public schools,” Adenola stated.
Reacting to the development, Commissioner for Education Salihu Adelabu condemned the rising indiscipline in public schools, emphasizing that the government would no longer tolerate such behavior.
“The present administration is investing so much in the education sector. It is sad to note that the affected pupils do not appreciate the efforts.
“The parents have a role to play in the upbringing of their children. The failure of the parents is what we are witnessing today,” Adelabu said.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s actions.
